The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Kings.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

The Unraveling of a Nation

A Study of the Book of 2 Kings

Lesson 1 (Learning a Fear of God)
 2 Kings 1
     December 11, 2013

The Text:

1. What had Ahaziah done to himself?  Who did he send messengers to?  What did he want to know?  What was Elijah told to do?  What message did God have for the king?
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2. How did the king respond when the messengers returned?  How did they explain their sudden return?  How did they describe the man who gave them the message?  What did the king conclude about this man’s identity?
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3. Who did the king send to Elijah?  What did they say to Elijah?  How did Elijah respond?  How did God respond?  How did the king respond?
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4. What happened to the second group of people the king sent to Elijah?  How did the king respond to this?  How did the third captain sent to Elijah approach him?  What request did he have of Elijah that was different from his predecessors?
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5. How did Elijah respond to the third group sent by the king?  What message did Elijah give the king when they met?  Why?  What happened?

The Application:

1. Who do you turn to for information?  Are there times when you find yourself seeking advice or input about something that you’ve not listened to God about?  Why?
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2. Has God ever given you an answer that you were looking for, but you weren’t looking for it from Him?  How likely are you to accept or recognize that the answer came from God?
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3. When God’s word says something you don’t like, what do you do about it?  Are there times when you tend to demand a personal response from God?  How hard is it to have balance when it come to a fear of the Lord and an understanding of God’s love?
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4. Do you ever find yourself in trouble because you are trying something a second time that God was clearly displeased with the first time?  What can you learn from the third captain sent to Elijah about your approach to God?
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5. How does God respond to you when you approach Him in humility seeking mercy?  How does God feel today when we continue our attempt to find answers to problems and difficulties through any and every means we can think of except Him?

Next Week:  Passing the Mantle
2 Kings 2